My fingers tighten around the phone 51

Aria’s POV
I couldn’t help smiling as I watched the last of my students file out of the training hall. Today’s session had gone
particularly well – even the most stubborn young wolves were starting to grasp the advanced defensive techniques I’d
been teaching. A pleasant fatigue settled in my muscles as I gathered my things, already looking forward to a hot shower
and a quiet evening with Lucas. Maybe we could finally start that puzzle he’d been so excited about.
“Going somewhere?”
The familiar voice made me pause. Leo stood in the doorway, looking unfairly handsome in his casual stance, hands
tucked into the pockets of what I was sure were ridiculously expensive trousers. Despite his relaxed posture, there was no
hiding the innate grace that marked him as Northern Pack nobility.
“Don’t you have your own pack duties to attend to?” I asked, trying best to make myself sound like a considering friend.
His lips curved into that charming smile that probably worked wonders on every other she-wolf in the territory. “What
could be more important than spending time with my favorite trainer?”
I felt heat creep into my cheeks and busied myself with reorganizing my already organized equipment. Leo had always
been like this – flirtatious and playful – but lately his comments seemed to carry more weight. The air between us felt
heavier somehow, charged with something I wasn’t ready to acknowledge.
“Oh, By the way, I have something for you.” He pulled an elegant silver key from his pocket, the metal catching the dying
sunlight.
My chest tightened at the sight. “Leo—”
“If you hadn’t pulled me out of that burning car six years ago,” he said, his usual playful demeanor replaced by
something more serious, “I would have met the Moon Goddess that day.”
The memory hit me like a physical blow – flames consuming his luxury car, the acrid smell of burning leather, my
desperate race against time to pull him free before the explosion. I’d been newly pregnant then, though he didn’t know
it. The fear of losing my unborn child had nearly paralyzed me, but I couldn’t let someone die when I had the power to
help.
“We agreed never to talk about that,” I said firmly, crossing my arms. The gesture was as much to steady myself as to
show disapproval. “And Lucas and I are fine where we are. We don’t need charity.”
“It’s not charity.” Leo’s voice softened as he stepped closer, still holding out the key. “The house is in the pack’s protected
territory, much closer to the training facility than your current apartment. Think about Lucas – he wouldn’t have to spend
so much time commuting. Plus, there’s a garden where he could play safely…”
“Stop.” My voice cracked slightly. I reached out, gently pushing his hand away. “If you keep trying to… to save me like this, we can’t be friends anymore. You know how I feel about handouts.”
The hurt that flickered across his face made my throat tight. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for us,” I said softly,
turning away. “But I won’t accept this. I can’t.”
Ethan’s POV
The storm clouds gathering over the mountains matched my darkening mood as I stood at my office window. Felix, my wolf, prowled restlessly beneath my skin, agitated by some instinct I couldn’t quite name. The sharp rap of knuckles
against my door announced Leo’s arrival before his scent – that irritatingly perfect blend of designer cologne and old
money – reached me.
“I need a favor,” Leo said without preamble, stepping into my office with his usual easy grace. “There’s a property in the
pack’s protected zone. I want it transferred to Aria – officially from Shadow Fang.”
My shoulders tensed, though I kept my voice carefully neutral. “I can’t understand why are you so determined to give her
a house.” The question came out rougher than intended, Felix’s agitation bleeding through.
“I owe her my life.” Leo’s usual easy smile faded into something more somber. “Six years ago—”
“You don’t need to explain anything to me,” I added coldly, turning back to the window. “Whatever’s between you and
Aria is none of my business.”
Leo quirked an eyebrow, and I could hear the amusement in his voice. “Oh? And here I thought you were quite interested
in Aria’s affairs.”
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I shot him a sideways glance, trying to ignore the way Felix bristled at his knowing tone. “I’m indeed curious about
certain things,” I admitted reluctantly. “After all, there are quite a few rumors circulating about her.”
“Such as?” Leo leaned against my desk, far too comfortable for my liking. The casual way he made himself at home in my
office grated on my nerves.
“Such as… Lucas?” The question burst from me before I could stop it. Felix prowled anxiously beneath my skin as I studied
Leo’s face, both dreading and desperate for his answer. “Who is his father?”
My heart pounded against my ribs. Part of me needed to know the truth, while another part feared it. The thought of Aria
finding love in the human world, of Lucas being another man’s son, made Felix snarl with possessive fury. Yet those
forest-green eyes haunted my thoughts.
Leo shook his head, a flicker of disappointment crossing his features. “I don’t know,” he admitted softly. “Aria’s never told
me. Out of respect, I’ve never asked.”
The silence that fell between us was heavy with unspoken questions. I turned back to the window, trying to mask the
storm of emotions churning inside me. Those six years Aria spent in the human world were a mystery – she could have met anyone, loved anyone.
The thought sent a wave of conflicting emotions through me – anger and grief tangling together in my chest until I could
barely breathe. Something about Aria stirred possessive instincts I’d never felt before, as if she was meant to be mine.